KWBud
Train Attendant
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2010
- Messages
- 70
This should be an easy question, but I want to be sure I understand the process.
It says that if I buy a rail pass I still need tickets. So, I'm assuming that the rail pass does not get me onto a train. So that means that a (say) 45 Day (18 segment) Rail Pass would be good for a month and a half or 18 trips, but that tickets are still required.
So, my question is, if I want to take off and see the country by rail, how does the Pass work. Can I, (for instance) leave Miami for Chicago take the Empire Builder to Belton and get off the train for a week and then (when I decide to continue) get a ticket at Belton to continue on to the Coast Starlight and take the California Zephyr back to Chicago and then return to Miami?
In this case, what is a segment? Miami to Washington (1), Washington to Chicago (2), Chicago to Belton (3), Belton to Portland (4), Portland to Emeryville(5), Emeryville to Chicago (6), Chicago to Washington (7) and Washington to Miami (8)?
So that would leave 10 segments for side trips or other ininerant stops?
If I am staying in Belton (Glacier National Park) for a few days, how much notice do I need for a "ticket" to continue on? Or does that depend on the amount of room on the train?
I'm also assuming that all travel would be coach. How difficult is it to upgrade along the way? Can I reserve an upgrade well ahead of time? Or, whit a Pass, does it have to be done on the train?
Are there any side trips that would be especially interesting?
--
Bud
It says that if I buy a rail pass I still need tickets. So, I'm assuming that the rail pass does not get me onto a train. So that means that a (say) 45 Day (18 segment) Rail Pass would be good for a month and a half or 18 trips, but that tickets are still required.
So, my question is, if I want to take off and see the country by rail, how does the Pass work. Can I, (for instance) leave Miami for Chicago take the Empire Builder to Belton and get off the train for a week and then (when I decide to continue) get a ticket at Belton to continue on to the Coast Starlight and take the California Zephyr back to Chicago and then return to Miami?
In this case, what is a segment? Miami to Washington (1), Washington to Chicago (2), Chicago to Belton (3), Belton to Portland (4), Portland to Emeryville(5), Emeryville to Chicago (6), Chicago to Washington (7) and Washington to Miami (8)?
So that would leave 10 segments for side trips or other ininerant stops?
If I am staying in Belton (Glacier National Park) for a few days, how much notice do I need for a "ticket" to continue on? Or does that depend on the amount of room on the train?
I'm also assuming that all travel would be coach. How difficult is it to upgrade along the way? Can I reserve an upgrade well ahead of time? Or, whit a Pass, does it have to be done on the train?
Are there any side trips that would be especially interesting?
--
Bud